Cap extraction device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap ( 16 ) comprising a first part ( 2 ), a second part ( 3 ) which is movable with respect to the second part ( 2 ) which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part comprising the cap guiding elements ( 6, 7 ) which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert the cap by gravity force and position it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system ( 19 ) in which the second movable part ( 3 ) displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.

The present invention relates to a capsule extraction device and themachine incorporating said device. Capsule extraction devices alreadyexist on the market. There is a need to propose an extraction devicethat makes it easier to insert and position the capsule in the devicebut that is both simple and low cost.

One problem encountered is the positioning of the capsule in the deviceand the closing of the latter around the capsule to perform theextraction. The capsule usually has to be positioned by the user on acapsule support or in a housing, then the device is closed manually orautomatically around the capsule. It is important to correctly positionthe capsule so that the device closes correctly around the latter and agood seal is thus achieved to ensure good conditions of extraction. Badpositioning may damage the capsule, and thus affect the conditions ofextraction. The loading of the capsule must also be easy, without trialand error as to the correct position of the capsule in the device. Theloading must also be as rapid as possible and not require excessivemanipulations.

So devices exist that propose the insertion of the capsule in a verticalplane and the movement of the extraction or infusion parts along ahorizontal plane around the capsule. Such systems have the advantages ofallowing a loading from the top piggy-bank fashion, and makes for rapidloading. The positioning of the capsule is then taken over by themovement of a movable part that pushes the capsule against another partsuch as a water heater. However, these devices are complex to produceand are not suitable for low-cost and therefore entry-level coffeemachines for the consumer market. They are therefore usually intendedfor the business market such as restaurants, bars or communities. Forexample, patent application WO 98/47418 relates to a device for theextraction of pre-measured inserts in which the inserts are insertedvertically and are extracted horizontally. The disadvantage of thisdevice is that it comprises two movable parts for the extraction, whichmakes the mechanical principle more complicated.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,527 relates to a device for the infusion oflens-shaped filter capsules comprising means of guidance and retentionin the form of movable stops that are pushed by a movable pistonhorizontally towards a water heater. The stops return to their positionunder the effect of a spring to release the capsule which then fallsunder the effect of gravity when the stops are rotated to open downward.Such a device uses several combined movements of the capsule guidanceand retention means. This makes the device complex and expensive toproduce.

Patent application EP 1 219 217 A1 relates to a coffee machinecomprising a capsule seat that oscillates between a position forreceiving the capsule and a position for releasing the capsule. The seatis pushed against the water injection system by means of a piston thatmoves horizontally when the seat is in the vertical position. Due to theoscillating configuration of the seat and the compliance with threereference positions of the latter, and the number of pieces necessary,such a device is complex and costly to produce.

The object of the present invention is to provide the consumer with anextraction system that is of simpler design, less costly andmechanically reliable. One of the objects is to make it easier to inserta capsule into a device for the extraction of this capsule; inparticular, to allow the insertion and positioning of a capsule in anextraction device without trial and error, and without excessivemanipulations and without risk of incorrectly positioning the capsule insaid device. Another object is to limit the number of pieces necessary,in particular, the number of movable pieces of the device in order toreduce its complexity and its production cost.

The present invention relates to a capsule extraction device comprising

-   -   a first part,    -   a second part that can be moved relative to the first part,    -   a housing for the capsule and defining, in the closed position        of the second movable part against the first part, an extraction        position of the capsule along an axis in said housing,    -   a capsule insertion and positioning part arranged so as to        insert the capsule by gravity and position said capsule in an        intermediate position,    -   a drink pouring system,        in that the second movable part is configured to move the        capsule from the intermediate position into the extraction        position when the device is closed.

The capsules that can be extracted with the device according to theinvention are of any type, for example open capsules, of the filterpaper capsule type or also rigid or semi-rigid capsules of cylindricalshape or frustoconical shape that are the subject of patents in the nameof the Applicant, that is EP 512'148 and EP 602'203. In a preferredembodiment, the capsule is asymmetric and comprises a guidance edgewhich is handled by the guidance means of the device. Thus, anasymmetric capsule along a guidance edge makes it possible to make thecapsule tilt slightly relative to the extraction axis. Such a tilt hasthe advantage of being able to act on the capsule when it isre-established in the axis of extraction as will be explainedhereinafter. However, the device according to the invention may alsooperate with symmetric capsules.

The capsules may contain any type of soluble or extractable foodproduct, for example roasted or ground coffee, soluble coffee, solublecocoa, milk, tea, dehydrated substances for soups and other products andany combinations of these products.

For reasons of simplicity, the device of the invention preferablycomprises a first part that is fixed and a second part that is movablerelative to the first part. However, there is nothing against providinga first part and a second part that are both movable.

In fact, the device according to the invention makes it possible tocause the capsule to travel from an intermediate position to anextraction position: it is held in its intermediate position, it travelsinto its extraction position and when the second movable part is openedafter extraction, the capsule is released naturally under the simpleeffect of gravitation. It falls into a drawer or any other means of usedcapsule retrieval and the consumer is ready to reload the device.

Preferably, the device comprises means of stopping the capsule. Thesestopping means are configured to keep the capsule in the intermediateposition when the capsule is inserted into the insertion and positioningpart. These stopping means keep the capsule in an axis offset orinclined relative to the axis of the capsule in the extraction positionin the housing. The extraction position corresponds to the position inwhich the movable part is closed against the fixed part while enclosingthe capsule.

It may be noted that the housing may be made in the movable part or thefixed part or else be divided between both in the fixed part and themovable part.

So, to travel from the intermediate position to the extraction position,there are at least two solutions.

A first solution consists of keeping the capsule in the intermediateposition in a manner offset relative to the axis of the capsule in theextraction position, for example, so that the movable part in itsmovement acts on the capsule to lower it and push it along the axis ofsaid movable part in its extraction position. The capsule may be offsetalong its recentering axis (or extraction axis) , for example parallelto the latter, or be inclined relative to its recentering axis at acertain angle, preferably a small angle, less than 30 degrees. Such asolution makes it possible to prevent any mechanical complexity and usesa minimum of moving pieces. Specifically, the capsule may be simply keptin the intermediate position by static stopping means and it is themovable part that handles the moving of the capsule when it is movedtoward the fixed part and then comes to position it in the extractionposition.

In a first preferred embodiment, the movable part is thus configured toforce the capsule to travel beyond the stopping means when the capsuletravels from its intermediate position to its extraction position. Thus,when the movable part drives the capsule, the latter being positioned inan offset or inclined axis, the capsule is forcibly re-established inthe axis of movement of the movable part corresponding to the axis ofthe capsule in the extraction position, which forces the capsule totravel beyond the stopping means. Once the stopping means have beenpassed by the capsule, the latter is placed in the extraction positionby at least one of the parts closing against the other and pressing thecapsule against the extraction part. Once the two parts have reopened,the capsule is no longer held by the stopping means and can therefore bereleased. It can be understood that such a configuration provides moresimplicity and reliability than the known systems.

A second possibility is that the movable part simply pushes the capsulein its axis of travel into its extraction position.

Thus, the device comprises stopping means configured to hold the capsulein the intermediate position along an axis substantially coaxial withthe axis of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the movable partacts on the opening of the stopping means in order to move them asidewhen the capsule travels from its intermediate position to itsextraction position.

The fixed part comprises a guide body for the movement in translation ofthe movable part toward the fixed part. The guide body may, for example,be oriented substantially horizontally to guide the movable part in ahorizontal movement. This guide body consists, for example, of at leasttwo rails, preferably four guide rails. The device according to theinvention allows an extraction by horizontal water injection. Themovable part is preferably substantially cylindrical.

In the device according to the invention, the insertion and positioningpart of the capsule is placed in front of and perpendicular to the guidebody and comprises at least one guidance means. Preferably, it comprisestwo guidance means. These means may be of any kind; for example, in thecase of the extraction of a capsule according to patent EP 512'148, theyare insertion slides allowing the engagement of the capsule collar.

To keep the capsule in the intermediate position, in a first embodiment,the guidance means comprise at least one stopping means placed at thesame level in order to keep the capsule in said intermediate position.Preferably, the guidance means comprise two stopping means. These meansmay be of any kind, for example stopping bosses, of just sufficientheight to immobilize the capsule. The bosses interact with an edge ofthe capsule, such as a collar, for example. The bosses thus hold thecapsule by the collar bearing on the bosses. The passage from thebearing position to the release position may be achieved by forcing thecollar to travel beyond the bosses, the latter being able to be fixed orelastically retractable.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, theguidance means are pivoting and form or comprise stopping means arrangedto immobilize the capsule in the intermediate position when the movablepart is in the open position and to release the capsule when the movablepart is in the closed position. These guidance means are actuated in theimmobilization or release position by an actuating lever, mountedrotatably and placed on the outside of the movable part: this lever, bythe movement of the movable part, places the guidance means in theimmobilization or release position.

In a final embodiment of the device according to the invention, thelatter comprises, in front of the guide body, a retractable stop, placedbeneath the movable part. This retractable stop is also actuated by themovement of the movable part: it makes it possible to keep the capsulein position when the movable part is in the open position.

The device also comprises an extraction plate toward which the movablepart moves the capsule in the extraction position. The capsule usuallycomprises an extraction face which is placed in contact with, or atleast is brought sufficiently close to, the extraction plate when thedevice is closed. If a filter paper capsule is extracted, this plate isa simple plate pierced with holes to allow the extraction liquid to passthrough. If the capsule is a capsule according to the two patentsmentioned hereinabove, such as for example a capsule having a faceintended to tear as the pressure rises in the capsule, it is a platecomprising either pyramids or spikes as mentioned in the patents EP512'142 and EP 604'615.

The movable part is moved by the means providing the movement into theopen and closed position. These means may take various forms. Use ispreferably made of means that are mechanically simple, such as systemswith transmission by rods combined with an immobilization system of theball-and-socket joint type. Any other solution giving a substantiallylinear movement is also possible, for example hydraulic, electric ormechanical systems, for example with screws.

As already mentioned hereinabove, at the end of extraction, the openingof the movable part allows the capsule to fall by gravitation.

The operation of the device in the first embodiment is as follows: theconsumer inserts a capsule via the insertion slide. The capsule isguided, for example, by a peripheral edge forming a collar which isinserted into said slide. The stopping means immobilize the capsule inthe intermediate position; in particular, its peripheral edge is held bythe stopping means. The consumer acts on the means allowing the closureof the movable part, so that the movable part takes the capsule into itshousing and lowers the axis of the capsule to bring it into the axis ofmovement of the movable body, which has the effect that the collar ofthe capsule passes over the stopping means and is positioned in theextraction position beneath these stopping means. The extraction takesplace and when the movable part is opened, the capsule falls bygravitation because it is no longer held by the stopping means.

FIGS. 7 to 13 below show the operation in the other embodiments.

The device according to the invention is incorporated into a coffeemachine or other extraction system comprising furthermore a water tank,a water pipe, a pump for moving the water, means of heating the waterand a water outlet in the movable part and any other element normallypresent in a coffee machine or other extraction system. “Otherextraction system” means multi-drink, espresso and other extractionsystems.

The invention also relates to a coffee machine comprising the devicethus described. The machine furthermore comprises a water tank, a waterpipe, a pump for moving the water, means of heating the water and awater outlet in the movable part of the device of the invention.

The rest of the description is made with respect to the drawings,according to which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a device according to the inventionin the open position,

FIG. 2 is the same view as that in FIG. 1, without the guide body sothat it is easier to understand the movement of the movable part,

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the device according to the inventionin the closed position,

FIG. 4 is a side view in the closed position,

FIG. 5 is a view in the axis A of positioning the capsule in theintermediate position, and

FIG. 6 is the same view as in FIG. 5 with the capsule in the extractionposition,

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective according to a second embodiment, withthe movable part in the closed position,

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective according to the preceding figure, withthe movable part in the open position,

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views in the axis of the extraction plate,

FIGS. 11 to 13 are schematic views of the device according to theinvention in a final embodiment.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the extraction device 1 comprises afixed part 2 and a movable part 3. The part 3 comprises a housing 4 forthe capsule to be extracted. The insertion and positioning part of thecapsule 16 comprises two guidance means 6, 7, in which the capsuleslides for positioning it. The capsule may thus be furnished with acollar which slides across the guidance means. The capsule is held in aposition offset relative to the axis 25 of movement of the movable part.Since the capsule is asymmetric relative to its collar, the capsule alsoinclines slightly because its center of gravity is offset relative tothe collar. This offset assists with the capsule being received by thehousing of the movable part when it moves. The movable part 3 is movedby means 8 closing and opening it. These means consist of aball-and-socket joint system comprising a lever arm 9 fixedly attachedto an operating shaft 10. This shaft is fixedly attached to two pairs ofrods respectively 11 and 12. The rods 11 and 12 are joined togetheralong a spindle of the rods 13. The rods 12 are fixedly attached by asystem of screws 18 to the movable body 3. The movable body 3 moved bythe ball-and-socket joint system slides in a guide body 14 consisting offour rails 15. When the ball-and-socket joint system closes, the spindle13 of the rods is stopped in its movement by the stop 24. The capsule 16is designed to go and press against an extraction plate 17 when saidcapsule is extracted. The drink flows through the pouring system 19 intoa cup not shown. The device according to the invention finallycomprises, in the guidance means 6, 7, two identical stopping means 20allowing the capsule to be held in the intermediate position. The screws21, 22 make it possible to fixedly attach the pouring system to theextraction plate. A water outlet 23 is provided on the rear of themovable body.

The device according to the invention operates as follows: the consumerinserts the capsule 16 through the insertion slides 6, 7. The capsuleslides until it reaches the stopping means 20: the collar of the capsulepresses against these means and the capsule is in the intermediateposition, as is also clearly seen in FIG. 5: the axis of the capsule isindicated by reference number 26 and the axis of the movable body byreference number 25. Since the capsule is asymmetric relative to theplane passing through its collar, the axis of the capsule tends toincline slightly relative to the axis of movement of the movable part.The consumer then operates the lever 9, which moves the movable body 3via the rod system. This movable body moves along its axis 25: duringthis movement, it causes the capsule 16 to enter into its housing 4,which has the effect of lowering the axis 26 of the capsule toward theaxis 25 of the movable body. The consequence is that the collar of thecapsule passes beneath the stopping means 20. The consumer then givesthe instruction to feed the hot water through the pipe 23 in the movablebody: the water traverses the capsule; through the rise in pressure, thecapsule opens against the extraction plate and the coffee flows throughthe outlet 19 into a cup placed beneath. When the extraction iscomplete, the consumer raises the lever 9, which sets the movable bodyin motion rearward, releases the capsule which is no longer held andwhich thus falls into a used capsule recovery system. The device is thenready for the next extraction.

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the device according to the inventionis more represented relative to the means of guiding and immobilizingthe capsule, than relative to the movable part and the means of movingsaid movable part. The extraction plate 30 comprises, as a means ofguiding 31 the capsule 32, two elements pivoting about a spindle 33.Each pivoting element comprises two positioning stops, one internal 39,the other external 40, better shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The movable part34 comprises a housing 35 for the capsule and on either side a boss 41.The means for moving the movable part are not shown. On both sides ofthe movable part, an actuating lever 36 has been placed, turning alongthe axis 37 and comprising a movement finger 38 of the guidance means 31and two zones of action, front 42 and rear 43, of said actuating lever36.

The operation is as follows:

In the open position, that is according to FIG. 8, the movement finger38 of the actuating lever 36 holds the pivoting guidance means 31 in theposition of retention of the capsule 32 (FIG. 10), because said fingeracts on the internal stop 39 of the pivoting element 31. When themovable part 34 moves toward the extraction plate 30, the boss 41releases the front action zone 42 and goes to position itself toward therear action zone 43, so that the movement finger 38 pushes the externalpositioning stop 40 outward. The consequence of this is that thepivoting guidance means moves away, which means that, when the movablepart is opened, the capsule will no longer have any retention.

FIGS. 11 to 13 give another embodiment of the immobilizating of thecapsule. The fixed part 50 comprises an extraction plate 55 and a drinkpouring system 53. Beneath the intermediate positioning location of thecapsule 56, there is a retractable stop 51, that rotates on the spindle54. The finger 57 makes it possible to retain the capsule. Finally thedevice comprises an element 52, fixedly attached to the movable part andthus acting on the retractable stop to open it and close it.

The operation is as follows:

FIG. 11 shows when the movable part is in movement to open. So that theelement 52 causes the retractable stop to tilt downward, which releasesthe capsule. FIG. 12 shows the end of the opening stroke of the movablepart, when the retractable stop has returned to the position forimmobilizing the capsule 56. Finally, FIG. 13 shows the position of theretractable stop at the time of extraction of said capsule 56.

It is well understood that the device according to the invention formspart of a coffee machine comprising all the elements making it possibleto extract the capsules, that is to say a water tank, a water inletpipe, a pump for moving the water, means of heating the water and awater inlet in the movable part.

1. A capsule extraction device comprising a first part; a second partthat can be moved relative to the first part; a housing for the capsuleand defining, in a closed position of the movable part against the fixedpart, an extraction position of the capsule along an axis in saidhousing; an insertion and positioning part comprising means for guidingthe capsule arranged so as to insert the capsule by gravity and positionsaid capsule in an intermediate position; a drink pouring system; andthe second movable part is so arranged and constructed to move thecapsule from the intermediate position into the extraction position whenthe device is closed.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprisingstopping means configured to keep the capsule in the intermediateposition along an axis offset relative to the axis of the capsule in theextraction position in the housing.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2,wherein the second movable part is configured to force the capsule tomove past the stopping means when the capsule travels from itsintermediate position to its extraction position.
 4. The device asclaimed in claim 1, comprising stopping means so constructed andarranged to maintain the capsule in the intermediate position along anaxis substantially coaxial with the axis of the housing.
 5. The deviceas claimed in claim 4, wherein the second movable part acts on theopening of the stopping means to move it aside when the capsule travelsfrom its intermediate position to its extraction position.
 6. The deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first part is fixed and comprises asubstantially horizontal guide body to guide in translation the secondmovable part toward the first fixed part.
 7. The device as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the part for inserting and positioning the capsule isplaced in front of the guide body and comprises two guidance means. 8.The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the guidance means arepivoting and comprise stopping means arranged to immobilize the capsulein an intermediate position when the second movable part is in the openposition allowing the insertion of a capsule and release the capsulewhen the second movable part is in the closed position allowing thecapsule to move from the intermediate position to the extractionposition and allowing the capsule to be released when the second movablepart is reopened.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising infront of the guide body, a retractable stop, placed beneath the movablepart.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising an extractionplate toward which the second movable part moves the capsule to theextraction position.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesecond movable part is moved by means ensuring the movement to the openand closed position.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein themeans ensuring the movement are a system of rods.
 13. The device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the reopening of the second movable partallows the capsule to fall by gravitation.
 14. The device as claimed inclaim 13, wherein the capsule is guided in its fall by the guidancemeans.
 15. A coffee machine comprising: a capsule extraction devicecomprising a first part, a second part that can be moved relative to thefirst part, a housing for the capsule and defining, in a closed positionof the movable part against the fixed part, an extraction position ofthe capsule along an axis in said housing, an insertion and positioningpart comprising means for guiding the capsule arranged so as to insertthe capsule by gravity and position said capsule in an intermediateposition, a drink pouring system. and the second movable part is soarranged and constructed to move the capsule from the intermediateposition into the extraction position when the device is closed; a watertank; a water pipe; a pump for moving the water; means of heating thewater and a water outlet in the movable part of the device.
 16. Acapsule extraction device comprising: a first part; a second part thatcan be moved relative to the first part; a housing for the capsule anddefining, in the closed position of the movable part against the fixedpart, an extraction position of the capsule along an axis in saidhousing; an insertion and poisoning part allowing said capsule to bepositioned in an intermediate position; a drink pouring system; and thesecond movable part so constructed and arranged to move the capsule fromthe intermediate position into the extraction position when the deviceis closed.